Urban Meyer states Charlie Weis Jr. calling plays for Ole Miss in the CFP is a 'big positive'

It was announced on Tuesday that offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. would be returning to Ole Miss to call plays during its College Football Playoff run. Weis was just one of a handful of Ole Miss coaches that took a plane to Baton Rouge alongside former head coach Lane Kiffin, as he is expected to take over as LSU‘s new offensive coordinator. For now however, the plan is to make his way back to Oxford for the Rebels’ CFP run.

Weis has a long history with Kiffin, dating back to when the two were at Alabama together during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. After one year apart, the two reconnected at FAU. However, Weis was on the move once again in 2020 to become USF‘s offensive coordinator.

The decision to link back up at Ole Miss came in 2022 when Weis assumed the role of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He has worked with Kiffin ever since and presumably plans to continue to so at LSU.

During Wednesday’s edition of ‘The Triple Option‘ Podcast, College Football Hall of Fame head coach Urban Meyer called the move a ‘big positive’ for Ole Miss.

“I didn’t know that,” Meyer responded when told that Weis Jr. would be calling plays in the CFP. “At first, Lane Kiffin said ‘get on the plane or I’m leaving you’. And I saw Charlie Weis Jr. get on a plane. But, that is public now that Charlie Weis can call plays (in the Playoff)? That’s a big positive, because a head coach at this time of year is a little overrated. Head coaches are the one’s that build. When the foot hits the ball, the head coach is just a game manager.”

Charlie Weis Jr. has been crucial in Ole Miss’ success this season

With Weis Jr. calling plays this season, Ole Miss‘ offense ranks first in the SEC in yards per game (498.1 YPG) and third in the SEC in points per game (37.3). Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has also emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in the country, passing for 3,016 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just three interceptions.

“I wanted it to be known that after conversations with LSU, we are allowing Charlie to return to Ole Miss to coach the team during the playoffs,” Kiffin said in a statement released on Tuesday. “I’ve already made the committee aware of this and I’m hopeful this decision will allow Ole Miss to receive the highest ranking possible because these great players are very deserving of that. I’m excited that Charlie will be back to help coach the greatest team in the history of Ole Miss.”

Since it will be sitting out of this weekend’s SEC Championship Game, Ole Miss will have to wait until Sunday’s Selection Show to find out its fate for the College Football Playoff. The Rebels will likely be hosting the first ever CFP game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford.